Method of cleaning ink applying mechanisms and material used therein



Patented Sept. 25, 1951 METHOD OF CLEANING INK APPLYING MECHANISMS AND MATERIAL USED THEREIN Harold R. Gullixson, Arlington, Va., assignor, by mesne assignments, 'to Ditto, Incorporated, Chicago, 111., a corporation of West Virginia No Drawing. Application November 18, 1947,

Serial No. 786,804

18 Claims. (01. 101 42s) In various types of printing machines, such as presses, lithographic machines, planographicduplicating machines and the like, it is necessary to clean the rollers employed to apply ink to the type, printing plate or the like, from time to time and, particularly, at the end of a days run or at other times when the machine is to be idle for a substantial period. The cleaning of the inking mechanisms, including the ink applying rolls is always a tedious, messy, and time-consuming job. In many cases, the inking rollers, including pickup, transfer and applying rollers must be physically removed from the machine, washed with ink solvent, and wiped repeatedly, to remove the ink and solvent, and then reinstalled in the machine.

Other procedures, used in the past to clean the inking rollers, without removing them from the machine, have been practiced. For instance, a rubber doctor blade has been held against the rotating roll and solvent applied to dilute the with the result that the doctor blade scrapes off the diluted ink, but the method is quite messy, and difficulty is encountered in getting the diluted ink off of the blade. If the ink is not wiped care is exercised, smearing ink over adjacent? parts of the machine.

If the rolls are not properly cleaned, the ink will harden thereon and produce an uneven sur a new type of ink roll cleaning material, which may be used in standard presses and duplicating machines, to clean the inking rolls in accordance with the method of the present invention.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred method.

Although the invention may be used with substantially all types of printing presses, it is of is'well-understood in the art, may consist of face which will interfere with the proper application of ink to the ink receiving type or plate, in subsequent printing or duplicating operations.

peditiously cleaning the rolls of an ink-applying mechanism in a printing machine.

Another object is to provide a method of cleaning the rolls which is not messy or sloppy and in specially treated paper, parchment, foil or the like, is then brought into rolling contact with the surface of a smooth transfer roll of rubber or the equivalent, to which the inked impression is imparted. The transfer roll is then brought into rolling contact with a sheet of paper or other impression material, to which the image is transferred. As is well-understood, this operation continues and ink and moisture are repeatedly applied to the so-called plate, for transfer by the transfer roll to successive sheets.

I All such machines have plate holding cylinders upon the surface of which the plates are removably secured. During the rotation of such a cylinder, the plate is revolved successively into rolling engagement with the ink applying roll and the transfer roll- The paper sheets may be moved past the transfer roll to receive the ink impression therefrom in several different manners, for instance, on the surface of a separate cylinder, on a difierent segment of the plate holding cylinder, or 'on a fiat reciprocating platen.

'Since'the present invention is not limited to any particular type of machine, the foregoing reference to typical duplicators should sufilce.

which there is no danger Of'SOiling the hands of V the operator or adjacent parts of the machine. A further object of the invention is to provide In accordance with the present method, when it is desired to clean the inking rolls of the ink.

applying mechanism, the first step is to discontinue the delivery of ink from thesource of supply to the ink applying rollers. This may be accomplishedin'a' plurality of different ways, de-

pending upon the kind of machine being used. The important point is that no further ink should be delivered to the rolls, but the rolls need not be removed from the machine.

Also, the moisture applying mechanism is rendered inoperative.

Next, the transfer roll may, if required, be shifted by suitable adjustments, found in all duplicating machines, to move its surface out of contact with the surface of the cylinder which carries the printing plate.

The paper sheet feeding mechanism, if an automatic sheet feeder is included in the machine, should also be rendered inoperative by any appropriate adjustment or, by simply removing the supply of paper sheets from the infeed position.

Next, the planographic plate or sheet, which normally received ink from the ink applying roll is removed from the plate carrying cylinder. This operation, likewise, is performed in conventional manner, depending upon the type of machine being used.

A new sheet having the novel characteristics described below is now inserted in the machine, in place of the just-removed plate. The sheet should have dimensions at least as large in plan as the dimensions of the largest printing plates capable of being used in the machine, and is clamped :or otherwise held on the surface of the plate carrying cylinder by the same means normally used to secure the plate in position. The sheet should be of a width slightly greater than the length of the ink applying roller and of a length to be readily received by the plate holding means.

The sheet comprises highly absorbent material of substantial thickness and an impervious backing. For instance, relatively heavy blotting paper has been found suitable. The impervious backing may consist of metal foil or impervious paper, adhesively united thereto, or simply a coating of ink impervious material.

For instance, the following blotting paper stock has been found satisfactory. Grade, No. 3 body. Basis weight (60 lbs.) 24 x 30 x 480 (ream). Mullen bursting strength, 11 lbs. per square inch. Thickness, .0135 inch. Porosity, (Gurley) 9 seconds per 100 cc. Tearing strength (Elmendorf), machine direction, 60 grams; cross-direction, 80 grams. Moisture absorbency, government ink 1 cc., 75 F., 140 seconds.

This is a good bright sheet of blotting paper, free from ground wood, and of substantially 100% chemical wood pulp fiber content.

The backing may be aluminum foil .00035 inch thick, known as dead soft, and the adhesive for uniting the foil to the paper may be a sodium silicate containing 4 total solids. Preferably, the absorbent paper stock should be treated in any appropriate way, as by the incorporation of suitable amounts of sizing, to make it non-lintin when subject to slight abrasion, but without materially affecting its high absorption characteristics.

As stated above, the sheet may have a relatively impervious paper backing, instead of the foil, or a coating may be sprayed or otherwise applied directly upon the back surface of the sheet.

After the sheet has been secured to the cylinder, in place of the plate normally adapted to receive the ink and moisture, the machine is operated to make the various elements thereof, which have not been rendered inoperative, go through their normal cycles of operation. During this op-.

eration, the absorbent sheet is repeatedly revolved into rolling contact with the inking roll and ink on the surface of the latter is transferred to and absorbed by the sheet on the cylinder. Since the absorbent sheet has far greater aflinity for the ink than the surface of the ink applying roll, the ink is rapidly transferred to the sheet and absorbed thereby. A suitable solventshould be applied to the inking rolls, to dilute the ink and to facilitate the transfer thereof to the sheet. Since no further ink is being supplied to the inking assembly, the solvent will clean all of the rolls and the ink will be transferred from one roll to another, until it has all been finally absorbed by the sheet. At this time, the operation of the machine may be stopped and the ink-laden sheet removed for disposal.

If desired, the solvent may be applied to the ink form rollers by a manually operated spray device. On the other hand, it is entirely feasible to apply the solvent by a spray or any other suitable means directly to the sheet of absorbent material, and this procedure has been satisfactorily followed in actual practice.

At the conclusion of the operation, it has been found that the sheet of absorbent material is actually substantially dry, as the solvent tends to evaporate and the heavy, oily ink is absorbed in the sheet. Hence, the sheet can be readily removed and handled, without soiling the hands or otherwise messing up the machine.

It has been found in actual practice that the new cleaning method can be accomplished in a period of one and one-half minutes or less, from the time when the fresh sheet of absorbent material is inserted on the plate cylinder until the ink laden sheet has been removed and thrown away.

The impervious backing prevents the ink from penetrating through the composite sheet and contaminating the surface of the cylinder.

When it is desired again to operate the machine for printing, the various assemblies may be restored to their operative positions, and a new printing plate inserted in the normal manner.

It will be appreciated that, according to the new method, the inking rolls need not be removed from the machine, and that the entire inking mechanism, with the exception of the ink reservoir, may be effectively cleaned in a simple, inexpensive and expeditious manner.

The present invention is not limited to all of the detailed procedures described above, nor to the specific materials, but covers all methods and products coming within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

I claim:

1. The method of cleaning and inking roller in a press, duplicating machine or the like, which comprises discontinuing the delivery of ink to the roller, mounting a sheet of substantial thickness of highly absorbent material in the machine in the position normally occupied by the element normally receiving ink from the roller, operating the press to bring the absorbent material repeatedly into ink receiving relation to the roller, until substantially all of the ink has been transferred to said sheet, and removing the sheet from the press.

2. The method of cleaning and inking roller in a press, duplicating machine or the like, which comprises discontinuing the delivery of ink to the roller and of moisture from the normally operative moisture supplying devices, mounting a sheet of substantial thickness of highly absorbent material in the machine-in the position' normally oc'-' cuplied by the element normally receiving ink from the roller, operating the press to bring the absorbent material repeatedly into'ink receiving relation-to the roller, until substantially. allof the ink has been transferred tosaid sheet, and removing the sheet from the press.

3. The method of cleaning an inking mechanism in a press, duplicating machine, or the like, which comprises discontinuing the supply of ink to the ink supplying mechanism of the machine, removing the printing plate from the machine, substituting in place thereof a sheet of substantial thickness of highly absorbent materialfrapplying an ink solvent to the. inking mechanism, operating the press to bring athe absorbent. sheet repeatedly into ink receiving;relation-to the mechanism, until substantially'all of the inkand solvent have been transferred to the sheet, and removing the latter from the press.

4. The method of cleaning an inking mechanism in a press, duplicating machine, or the like, which comprises discontinuing the supply of ink and of moisture to the ink and moisture supplying mechanisms of the machine, removing the printing plate from the machine, substituting in place thereof a sheet of substantial thickness of highly absorbent material, applying an ink solvent to the inking mechanism, operating the press to bring the absorbent sheet repeatedly into ink receiving relation to the mechanism, until substantially all of the ink and solvent have been transferred to the sheet, and removing the latter from the press.

5. The method of cleaning an inking roller in a press, duplicating machine or the like, which comprises substituting for the printing plate in the machine, a sheet of substantial thickness of highly absorbent material having an impervious backing, discontinuing the delivery of ink to said roller, operating the press so as to bring the absorbent surface of said sheet material repeatedly into pressing and rolling contact with said roller and thereby transferring the ink from the roller to said absorbent surface, and finally removing the sheet from the press.

6. The method of cleaning the inking mechanism in a duplicating machine of the type in which moisture and ink are normally applied to a revolvable planographic printing plate for transfer therefrom by a transfer roll, positioned in the path of movement of the plate, to sheets delivered to the machine, which comprise discontinuing the supply of ink and of moisture to the ink and moisture applying mechanisms, removing the printing plate from the machine, mounting a sheet of substantial thickness of highly absorbent material in the machine in the place of the removed printing plate, operating the machine and repeatedly bringing the absorbent sheet into rolling contact with the ink applying mechanism and thereby transferring the ink to and absorbing the same by the absorbent sheet, and removing the sheet from the machine.

'7. The method of cleaning the inking mechanism in a duplicating machine of the type in which moisture and ink are normally applied to a revolvable planographic printing plate for transfer therefrom by a transfer roll, positioned in the path of movement of the plate, to sheets delivered to the machine, which comprises discontinuing the supply of ink and of moisture to the ink and moisture applying mechanisms, shifting the transfer roll to a position removed from the path of movement of the plate, removing the 'printingplate from the machinefposition ing in the machine, in the place normally occupied by the printing plate, a highly absorbent sheet of substantial thickness, operating the ma' chine and revolving the absorbent sheet through the path normally followed by the printing plate, into repeated rolling engagement with said inking roller, to transfer the ink therefrom to the sheet for'absorptionthereby, and removing the absorbent sheet from the machine.

8. The method of cleaning the inking mechanism in a duplicating. machine of the type in which moisture and ink are normally applied to a revolvable planographicprinting plate for transfer therefrom by a transfer roll, positioned in the path of movement of the plate, to sheets delivered to the machine, which comprises discontinuing the supply of ink and of moisture to the ink and moisture applying mechanisms, shifting the transfer roll to a position removed from the path of movement of the plate, rendering the paper sheet delivery mechanism inoperative, removing the printing plate from the machine, positioning in the machine, in the place normally occupied by the printing plate, a highly absorbent sheet of substantial thickness, operating the machine and revolving the absorbent sheet through the path normally followed by the printing plate, into a repeated rolling engagement with said inking roller, to transfer the ink therefrom to the sheet for absorption thereby, and removing the absorbent sheet from the machine.

9. The method of cleaning the inking mechanism in a duplicating machine of the type in which moisture and ink are normally applied to a revolvable planographic printing plate for transfer therefrom by a transfer roll, positioned in the path of movement of the plate, to sheets delivered to the machine, which comprises discontinuing the supply of ink and of moisture to the ink and moisture applying mechanisms, shifting the transfer roll to a position removed from the path of movement of the plate, rendering the paper sheet delivery mechanism inoperative, removing the printing plate from the machine, positioning in the machine, in the place normally occupied by the printing plate, a highly absorbent sheet at least equal to the length of the ink applying roller and of substantial thickness, operating the machine and revolving the absorbent sheet through the path normally followed by the printing plate, into repeated rolling engagement with said inking roller, to transfer the ink therefrom to the sheet for absorption thereby, and removing the absorbent sheet from the machine.

10. A method in accordance with claim 6 characterized by the inclusion of the step of applying an ink solvent to the inking mechanism.

11. A method in accordance with claim 6 characterized by the inclusion of the step of spraying an ink solvent upon the inking mechanism during the said operation of the machine.

12. A method in accordance with claim 6 characterized by the inclusion of the step of applying.

to the absorbent sheet, a liquid solvent for the ink.

13. A method in accordance with claim 6 characterized by the inclusion of the steps of applying an ink solvent to the inking mechanism and operating the machine until the solvent has evaporated and the inking mechanism and the absorbent sheet are substantially dry.

14. A method in accordance with claim 6 characterized by the inclusion of the steps of applying an ink solvent to the absorbent sheet and operating the machine until the solvent has evaporated and the inking mechanismand the absorbent sheet are substantially dry.

15. In combination, aplanographic duplicating machine having a planographic plate holding cylinder and a roller for applying ink to a plate on said cylinder; and a sheet of highly absorbent material removably held on said cylinder in place of said plate, said sheet being of substantial thickness, of a size corresponding to the maximum size plate receivable on said cylinder and be-- ing substituted for said plate'to absorb ink from said roller to clean the'roller of ink'at the conclusion of a printing operation.

HAROLD R. GULLIXSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,723,256 Scott Aug. 6, 1929 1,971,337 Collins Aug. 28, 1934 2,045,944 Domke June 30, 1936 2,226,589 Smyers Dec. 31, 1940 

1. THE METHOD OF CLEANING AND INKING ROLLER IN A PRESS, DUPLICATING MACHINE OR TH E LIKE, WHICH COMPRISES DISCONTINUING THE DELIVERY OF INK TO THE ROLLER, MOUNTAIN A SHEET OF SUBSTNTIAL THICKENSSS OF HIGHLY ABSORBENT MATERIAL IN THE MACHINE ININ THE POSITION NORMALLY OCCUPIED BY THE ELEMENT NORMALLY RECEIVING INK FROM THE ROLLER, OPERATING THE PRESS TO BRING THE ABSORBENT MATERIAL REPEATEDLY INTO INK RECEIVING RELATION TO THE ROLLER, UNTIL SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE INK HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO SAID SHEET, AND REMOVING THE SHEET FROM THE PRESS. 